quote:Originally posted by tsaeb: 1) Do cats and dogs, as part of an Orthodox Jewish household, also observe a Kosher cuisine?
When we had a cat we never fed it pork etc. We would get the cat the regular stuff in the supermarket as long as there was nothing forbidden in it. So even though the meat in the cat food might be beef, it is not beef we could eat since it was not slaughtered properly. We had special can openers etc. that we used for the cat since the cat food was not kosher. On passover the cat would have to suffer though. boiled chicken and matzah.
Just my opinion of course, but the whole thing seems rather silly. Cattle, for example, live primarily on grains, grasses, and water. That’s what they eat. That’s what keeps them healthy. Why would one feed an animal anything other than what is healthiest for that animal based on the way it was created by God? And why in the world would God be offended by using common sense to care for an animal? Holy days are for people not animals.
Juan, it is because we do not bring not kosher food into our house. If the cat was to go outside and eat other stuff then I don't mind, But as long as the cat was in our house, he didn't. and mike, we were feeding the cat what was healthy for it. The cat lives to a ripe old age of twelve eating store bought mush. -yafa
Yafa, I understand. I was not addressing your post but the question(s) in general. Obviously if you own a pet and as a matter of your faith do not bring certain foods into your home (on holy days or as a matter of normal practice) that happen to be primary foods of that animal’s diet, the animal would have to eat outdoors. I just can’t imagine depriving the animal of foods that are appropriate for it just because you choose not to eat those foods for religious reasons. It sounds like you take good care of your kitty.
My cats remain carnivores even on non-meat days. OTOH, they do get a treat of some kind on Christmas. Not sure how widespread this is, but Grampa used to do it for the cattle and horses, so we keep up the tradition.
Mike121: I live in an apartment building next door to an Orthodox Jewish family. They have a cat, but I never see them put cat food cans or boxes in the recycling bin. So I got as curious as a cat. Having gotten a respectable response here, I will try to remember to ask them what they do feed their cat.
